Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in California
My wife's will was drawn up while living in Tennessee. If she moves to California, is the will honored?
2 Answers from Attorneys
As long as it complies with California law. There needs to be two witnesses or the Will [including date, anything on the page] must be entirely in her handwriting.
The law of the testator's (the person who made the will) domicile at tdeath determines the validity of the will with respect to personal property. The law of the state where real property is located determines the validity of the will's disposition of real property.
A will is valid in California if executed in acordance with California law; the law of the state where executed (Tennessee) or the law of the place where at the time of execution or at the time of death the testator is domiciled, has a place of abode, or is a national. (California Probate Code, sect. 6113.)